Residents are being warned of a hidden garden danger that could easily prove deadly, which has seen a record number of Australians harmed in the past year. With summer just days away, people around the country are being urged to stay on the lookout.
The South Australian government announced that it had treated 91 patients for snake bites throughout 2024, the highest number of callouts in the past five years.
It warned that summer is by far the busiest period for incidents, with more than 170 snake bites responded to between December and February since 2020. This is in comparison to 130 bites in spring over the same period.
Department for Environment and Water Principal Ecologist, Wildlife Management, Benita Dillon, said snakes are a vital player in the ecosystem, particularly helpful when it comes to controlling rats and mice.
But, she said, they can also be present even if you can’t immediately see them.
“Just because you’ve never seen a snake on your property doesn’t mean they aren’t there, so you should always be careful about putting your hands or feet into spots you can’t see, like long grass, or that pile of junk behind the shed,” she said.
Long grass, overgrown bushes and a backyard shed are three dangers increasing the likelihood of a shake encounter, a vet said. Source: Getty
Earlier this year, Rolly Burrell from Snake Catchers Adelaide told Yahoo that, in his 50 years on the job, 2025 had been his busiest year yet.
“We’ve been smashed seven days a week, 12 hours a day, for about eight months. You can’t even go to a funeral without answering your phone all day, you know, like it’s really full on, and we look forward to just not answering the phone and relaxing a bit,” he said.
“We’ve just had a hot summer, like it’s the driest summer on record, and no rain.”
Are snakes about to become more active?
As the weather heats up, snakes in Australia become much more active as they exit their brumation period.
This signals that the breeding season is underway, meaning snakes may not only be more visible, they’re also more inclined to roam, defend territory and encounter people.
Last week in Adelaide, a large python, suspected to be a pet, was found dumped by the roadside, prompting a warning ahead of Christmas.
Snake catcher Sarah Mailey told Yahoo News in October that snakes can even be found on our beaches, but they do a good job of going unnoticed.
A recent snake sighting at Hastings Point along the northern New South Wales coastline was made worse after a beachgoer attempted to interact with the snake, making it very defensive.
Why are snakes more active in summer?
As temperatures rise, snakes emerge from brumation, a dormant, hibernation-like period, and begin moving about more frequently as breeding season kicks off.
Like any wildlife, snakes seek out food, water and safe shelter. They’ll take advantage of low-lying cover around homes, including stacked timber, junk piles and sheets of corrugated metal.
To reduce the chances of encountering a snake around the house, homeowners are encouraged to keep grass trimmed, clear away clutter and manage rodent numbers.
Snakes become more active during the summer months. Source: Getty
When visiting national parks or bushland, walkers should remain on marked tracks, make their presence known and wear long pants and sturdy, closed-in shoes.
Across the state, venomous species you’re most likely to come across include eastern browns, red-bellied black snakes, copperheads, western browns and tiger snakes.
All snakes are protected and form an important part of local ecosystems, so they should be left undisturbed.
Most bites occur when someone tries to catch or kill a snake.
In most cases, snakes prefer to avoid people altogether, either by slipping away, hiding or staying still until the danger has passed.
They may lash out only if surprised, threatened or unable to escape.
If a snake appears inside a home, keep pets and children away, monitor its movements only if safe, and contact a licensed snake catcher to remove it.
What should I do if I get bitten?
If someone is bitten by a snake, the government urges, call Triple Zero immediately.
Keep the person as calm and still as possible and apply pressure bandaging.
If the bite is to a limb, apply another pressure bandage, beginning at the fingers or toes of the bitten limb and extending upward to cover as much of the limb as possible.
Leave the bandage in place until medical help arrives.
Do not wash the bite, cut the wound, apply a tourniquet or attempt to catch the snake.
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